17 July,2023 09:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Raaina Jain
Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (Pic: AFP)
Sathiyan Gnanasekaran is a pioneering name in Indian table tennis having made significant contributions to the sport both in terms of rankings and medals. His elation with the sport's growing recognition in the country and aspiration for its glowing future stand highlighted in his performance and communication.
It is this dedication for table tennis that led him to become the first Indian paddler to make space for himself in Top 25 world rankings in 2019 and also steered his career towards Olympics two years ago.
On the sidelines of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) League and ahead of the crucial Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics, mid-day.com caught up with the ace paddler on his mindset towards the game and preparations for upcoming competitions.
This is an exciting time for table tennis in India -- a sentiment backed by Sathiyan.
Not only are Indian players exerting dominance internationally but the sport is also leaving its traces in the hearts and minds of people at home.
Stressing on the opportunities available to young players and the enthusiasm they bring to the game, Sathiyan stated "we're making great strides on the world stage."
"I think a lot of things have changed. For example, the UTT League, making India a table tennis destination. It was never before that so many top players would come to India for a big tournament. So, the opportunities have increased a lot. The exposure we get now to play abroad, to train abroad is really cool," he said reminiscing the changes in the game from when he started playing more than a decade ago.
"There's been a great structure as well. There is a clear pathway on how to get to the top starting from domestic circuit, leagues, WTT.
"The juniors are more aware and they are more motivated not just to represent India but to go on and win medals for the country," he added.
With a plethora of opportunities comes the scope to play the game in different ways across different formats. Indian paddlers are juggling between international games and franchise leagues like UTT.
When asked whether the mindset differs when he is playing in league games and representing the country internationally in events like Asian Games or Olympics, Sathiyan was quick to say, "The mindset of fighting and giving it our all is the same. That doesn't differ much. Sport takes precedence everywhere."
"The atmosphere, the environment in which you play is certainly a little bit different. You need to adapt to that kind of format.
"Asian Games is a longer game. You have round after round, you play for a longer time, you have matches every day. It is multi-event. It's always a different feeling. You meet others, you see a lot of matches, you learn a lot. When you see 10,000 athletes under one roof, it's always very special. So, I think inside the table, it's all the same but the factors outside and the kind of aura it creates in a bigger event like this is different. The pressure when you play for India is immense certainly and that is one thing that got better to me with experience," the Commonwealth Games medallist expressed.
Sathiyan is in the middle of a busy schedule -- coming out of the WTT Contender, competing in UTT and preparing for Asian Games. The mental and physical work that goes into back-to-back tournaments and training is not always easy on sportspersons.
"At this level, it is more mental. I feel the mental energy is very exhausting. Table tennis is a sport where you play so many tournaments. We've had no break right now. But that's what the sport demands. So, we take small breaks, refresh ourselves and then come back and get in shape. It is important to also plan it better. You have to plan your fitness schedule in a way that you maintain your fitness for important events. If you push too much every time, you have a chance of getting injured," he said.
His experience in the game took centre stage as he reiterated that dealing with the mental and physical pressure of the sport is something you learn with time.
"That's what experience teaches you⦠how to manage your family life, how to prepare yourself to be mentally and physically ready. Yes, it is taxing but once you start enjoying this process, enjoying this pressure (it becomes manageable). I really love being in that pressure, love butterflies in the stomach," he said excitedly.
When one represents their country in an international event, the reward often overpowers the pressure. Indian players are now turning towards one such event - Asian Games 2023. The table tennis squad has been announced and Sathiyan, playing in men's team, men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles events, is one of the key prospects to bring the medal home.
"I am aiming to bring out my best game. I feel one of the best zones I was in was in 2018 Asian Games. That's when I saw a different me playing against Japan in the quarterfinals. I would like to go one step beyond and play even better," he asserted.
"First priority would be to take it one match at a time. We have a plan in place to get some needed match practice here, to play more aggressive table tennis. We've come a long way and I think we have a great chance in the men's team and mixed doubles."
India's Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra (R) pose during the medal ceremony for the mixed doubles bronze medal table tennis at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (Pic: AFP)
The mixed doubles pair of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra has wreaked havoc on opponents in multiple tournaments. They charted an exemplary course to the Top 5 of world rankings last year.
Sathiyan was all praises for his partner as he said, "She is fantastic. I really like the gutsy play from her. She goes for the shot. We really complement each other's game. We have a great sense of reading the opponent's game and placements. To have another player of that nature who is helping you out, being smart on the table (is great)."
"We never expected that we will get in the Top 5 or Top 10 so quickly. So it has also been surprising for us but the way we started beating top players, we started believing that we can take on even the best in the world. It has been fantastic and we hope we can continue (this form) in the Asian Games which is a pit stop. But the goal would be Paris 2024."
Sathiyan's men's doubles pairing with veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal has also had its success with several medals including a silver at CWG 2022.
"He is still anna for us. He never gives you the feeling that he is 11 years older to us. He is more like a friend. He gives you the freedom that you can always go and say if something is not working out or something is doing well or you need some changes. He's always there as a friend listening to you and adapting to whatever is needed," Sathiyan spoke glowingly about Sharath.
"To have such a senior in the team also takes off the pressure from us. It's really helpful. And I hope he just keeps going and together we can win a lot of medals and take Indian table tennis to the next level," he added.
Sathiyan achieved a career milestone when he qualified for Tokyo Olympics 2020. Unfortunately, he could not win a medal but the experience of competing in a high-stakes event like that proved to be helpful for him.
"That (Tokyo Olympics experience) actually even helped me perform well in the Commonwealth Games where there was a lot of pressure and I went on to win the singles medal that I was really looking for. For Tokyo Olympics I felt that even though I was prepared for it, but still only when you experience it⦠I think I have never felt that kind of pressure, that kind of anxiety before the match. Still, I think I played quite well but that slight edge would have been better," he said reflecting on his maiden Olympics experience.
As he prepares to achieve his next big goal - an Olympic medal in Paris Games- the learnings of Tokyo will come handy.
"That gave me a lot of experience on how to stay calm during such important events or how to prepare yourself from months before. It is not just one or two days before Olympics. You need to do that few months or even an year prior so that you can plan accordingly. I feel I can plan much better heading into the Paris Olympics. That fear and aura will no longer be with me. When you really know what it is, how it is, then you are prepared for what's coming for you."
Also Read: G Sathiyan feels mixed doubles is India's best bet for a medal at Paris Olympics
With confidence in his game and that of his teammates, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran expressed hope for a strong performance in upcoming competitions.
He concluded by saying, "I enjoy playing table tennis every day. Breaking into Top 10, winning an Olympic medal and seeing India among Top 5 table tennis nations of the world are all possible directions of mindset for me right now. As long as I am enjoying the sport, that is the key."
As the Indian table tennis contingent prepares to take the game to greater heights, Sathiyan is ready to be a key contributor to its success.
